Thread: Factory ammo overcharge ?

Had a fun experience today shooting Winchester .303 180grn . first 2 shots no issue 3rd shot was a monster boom kicked like a mule and threw rifle back into my brothers face and scoped himself (blood everywhere ) . Has anyone experienced this before using factory ammo? my guess is overcharge but im no expert

Ahhhh, no.

Did you keep the brass cases? Where did the ammo come from, straight from a shop out of the sealed packet or is it a tatty old box from who knows when? Can you put up a photo?

Originally Posted by No.3

Ahhhh, no.

Did you keep the brass cases? Where did the ammo come from, straight from a shop out of the sealed packet or is it a tatty old box from who knows when? Can you put up a photo?

yes have brass, packet was new unopened from shop i brought earlier this year

Whats the bore look like???

Any visible difference between the spent brass??

That’s pretty odd. Cant say I’ve ever experienced this, and I haven’t heard of it before now with factory Ammo.

Originally Posted by XR500

Whats the bore look like???

Any visible difference between the spent brass??

bore is mint and just measured cases they all measure the same 2.210 cant see any deference apart from 1 case is abit darker at top of neck

How does the primer look on the case?

Not 303 but I have had fed blue box stamp and shave brass and stiff bolt lift in 308..... generally its good but one box I had 50/50 over pressure.

did you have 3 holes in target???

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

did you have 3 holes in target???

only 2 no idea where 3rd shot went completely missed the board

Originally Posted by Allgood

How does the primer look on the case?

all the same

That’s really strange considering the 303 ammo is normally very very mild.

Originally Posted by McNotty

That’s really strange considering the 303 ammo is normally very very mild.

yeah was not expecting it

Originally Posted by Calvnz1

only 2 no idea where 3rd shot went completely missed the board

if only had been one the 2nd may have been blocking it.... never ever had issue with any winchester factory ammunition....photos of the cases may shed some light...maybe.

That and weigh the empty cases, one might be thicker somewhere giving less capacity? Can't have been a major overcharge as the brass or rifle didn't let go, but do not shoot it until its been inspected by someone who knows Lee Enfields. They behave differently and fail in different places to a front locking action. Also quarantine the remaining ammo - it might need to go back for assessment by the factory. Take a photo or two of your brothers mug as well before it heels. Something is very much not right there, might not be the ammo at fault but lucky to not have had a catastrophic let go. Did you sight the target between shots to make sure you hit it or did you only pull it after the third round?